Any energy company reps or ex utilita customers about?

[Graphista]

Apologies as I've posted about this before and not followed through - reasons related to my mh and anxieties but I'm SO fed up!!

I moved here in 2017 and previous tenant had signed up with utilita prepay smart meters so I've been stuck with the arses since I moved in.

Numerous problems, poor customer service, poor complaints service, nightmare even just getting hold of an actual PERSON most of the time!

I just want AWAY from this company but whenever I've tried to find info online it's been impossible, plus you can't compare prepay to credit accounts on price comparison sites (I've always previously been a credit customer and had no problems with this whatsoever, always pay my bills etc).

But this company are apparently a bloody nightmare to leave! They've even been prosecuted/fined over this.

So...are there any mners that work for energy companies or who've successfully left this damn company who can tell me how to go about doing so with as little disruption as possible? I'd be EXTREMELY grateful

Nobody? That's worrying

I eventually managed to get away from them, they make it difficult but it can be done! If you find the company you want to switch to they will deal with them for you, you will need to switch your meters from prepay to credit but this can be done remotely

Thank you!!

Who did you switch to and what did it involve?

I switched to bulb, they quoted me less than half what I was paying utilita so it was a no brainer! I just did it completely through them, once you sign up they will handle the switch so all you have to do is give meter readings. It took a while for me because utilita were trying to chase me for the previous tenant's debt so they blocked the switch and there was a lot of frustrating back and forth but eventually they accepted that I didn't owe them anything and it went through

Ugh they tried to get previous tenants debt off me too! I went ballistic at them! Cheeky bastards!

Bulb I've not heard great things about and tbh I'd rather (with my experiences) go with a more well known established company.

I also cannot do the meter readings if you mean from the meter in the cupboard as I physically cannot read them (weird sight issue plus mobility issue due to location)

I need it on an "old fashioned" system where they check the meter quarterly and I pay by dd.

How long did it take?

I think it was a couple of months iirc, they blocked the move for the gas and I had to chase to get that lifted and then they blocked the electricity so I had to go through the saga again! We didn't have any issue with reading the meter but they must be able to send someone if that's a problem. I would go to a comparison site and find who you want to switch to and then go through them, they want your business so they will try to make your switch as easy as possible

Trouble is comparison sites won't/can't do a comparison from prepay to credit arrangement

I also can't get a clear answer from anyone on if they can use the meters that are currently in place or if I'd need to deal with the upheaval of new ones being installed. This would be incredibly stressful to me for a number of reasons but mainly as I have OCD and don't cope well with work being done in the flat, mess being made etc

I'm also annoyed at myself for leaving it though and as you say a couple months that takes us into brexit time and I'm genuinely worried I'll have a problem with my supply at that time